A teen holding a ceramic piece next to a child sitting down

Program Highlight: Ceramics

YC participants and volunteers have—quite literally—gotten their hands dirty during Ceramics this program season. One of the standout projects was the animal pinch bowls. Each participant started with a slab of clay, pinching it into the shape of a bowl. Once the basic form took shape, they added personality by crafting animal features like eyes, ears, and noses. Using water, these elements were seamlessly attached, bringing their clay creatures to life. 

Another exciting project was the coil bowls. First things first—create a solid foundation! Participants began by cutting a slab of clay into a circle for the base. Then, they rolled out coils of clay and carefully stacked them to build up the sides. Some of the bowls reached impressive heights, showcasing not only creativity but also engineering skills to ensure stability! 

Alumni participants joined in the fun as well, returning to work on their ceramics from last year at their own ceramics program. They painted and glazed the pinch pots and press plates they made previously. The variety of color combinations and the creativity on display was amazing! 

Overall, it was a fantastic experience, with everyone enjoying the chance to express themselves through ceramics. It’s such a fun and rewarding outlet for creativity!